Jack set to end Wigan nightmare

Oldham close to deal for Byrne

Ireland U21 prospect Jack Byrne will now try and use a move away from Wigan to kick-start his career with new club Oldham Athletic.

Dubliner Byrne had high hopes when he joined Wigan from Manchester City last year, on a three-and-a-half year deal.

But his time at Wigan was a disaster as Wigan were relegated from the Championship and Byrne, who previously had a successful loan spell in Holland with Cambuur, was unable to get into the side.

He has made just two league appearances and, having fallen out of favour with boss Paul Cook, was sent out on loan to their League One rivals Oldham.

That loan deal expired two weeks ago but Oldham are big fans of the St Kevin's Boys product and they are close to agreeing a deal to sign Byrne on a permanent basis, as Byrne watched Oldham play Rotherham on Saturday as Wigan and Oldham haggled over a deal.

"More or less everything is done. Jack showed his desire to come back which is great. I can't see anything going wrong with it," said Oldham boss Richie Wellens.

"Jack was here supporting the lads and came into training on Friday, so we'll get it 100 per cent done as soon as possible.

"It's a permanent deal and that's because I feel we've developed the player over the last three months. Other clubs had come in snooping, and now if they want to come in and snoop it will obviously cost them money to get him.

"We can develop him knowing that if someone wants to come in with a good offer for us to sell him, we'll be happy to do that. The biggest thing in terms of it being a permanent deal is that it means we can get another loan in too.

"Jack is a really good footballer and he's one of those that can play the final pass and create chances."

Also in League One, Blackpool say they are pleased with Irish youngster Rowan Roache after he made his league debut.

Roache (17) came off the bench to feature in their 0-0 draw at home to Bristol Rovers, his first game in the league after a number of cup appearances,

"I was delighted to give Rowan his league debut and I thought he showed nice touches when he went in there," says Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer.

The highly-rated Roache declared for Ireland in 2015, qualifying via the parentage rule, and has been capped at U16 and U17 levels, making his U18 debut against Belgium in November.